The Station
The Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station is the forty-third station in Ireland and the two hundred and thirty-fifth station since the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's inception on March 4, 1824. The operational area of the lifeboat covers the whole of Lough Derg and extends from Portumna Bridge at the North to Parteen Weir. The RNLI has forged excellent relationships with other local rescue services, Ballina/Killaloe Search and Rescue, Mountshannon Rescue and the Civil Defence who also operate on the lake. Requests to launch the lifeboat normally come from the Coast Guard and either the Operations Manager Charles Stanley-Smith or the Deputy Launching Authorities, Teddy Knight or Liam Maloney, will then make the final decision whether to launch. Since the lifeboat arrived at Lough Derg on April 6th. 2004, there have already been seventy four (30 in 2006) services, or "shouts", activated by the Coast Guard.
Inland Waters
	As inland waterways are increasingly used for pleasure by motor and sailing craft, the rescue services must deal with the increased traffic and difficulties that on occasion lead to tragedy. The RNLI, whose original remit was to save lives at sea, has evolved its services to include selected inland waterways. The Lough Derg Lifeboat Station operating from the premises of Lough Derg Yacht Club in Dromineer, is only the third RNLI Inland Station in existence and the first in the Irish Republic. The other two are located at Lough Erne Yacht Club, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and Oulton Broad, Suffolk, England.
On Service 25/05/2004
On Tuesday May 25th 2004 at 20.45hrs Ian Canavan, Divisional Training Inspector, made the historic announcement to assembled crew and committee members that the Lough Derg Lifeboat was officially in service. The announcement was met with applause and a cheer of approval. Ian added, "the one caveat to the service at present, is that it will only be provided from sunrise to sunset until night time navigation systems are in place". Helena Duggan, Crew Trainer and Assessor, was highly complimentary of the station’s performance during the previous two days of assessment. Helena described the crew’s level of achievement as "exceptional and of the highest standard" warning that the challenge should be to maintain that standard. On behalf of the crew, Eleanor Hooker thanked Charles Stanley-Smith, the Station's Operations manager, for his resolute determination, his hard work and incredible capacity to be positive and good-humoured despite the great challenge of setting up a new lifeboat station. Eleanor also thanked Fergal Kerney, Lifeboat Training Coordinator for accompanying the lifeboat on the water in his cruiser when on exercises and for his constant teaching and encouragement.
The Crew
	The Crew is made up of volunteers who live or work in the Dromineer area. After an initial two intensive training period in March of 2004, the crew have been undergoing continuing training as part of the RNLI's Competency Based Training. Of the four thousand RNLI volunteer, two hundred and ninety-six are women or 7%. Most of these are in Ireland and at 50%, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat believes that it has the highest percentage of female crew of any station. Photo of most of the Crew - Back Row: Teddy Knight (DLA), Charles Stanley-Smith (LOM), Liam Maloney (DLA), Eleanor Hooker (Crew & LPO) Lian Knight, Alan Finch, Peter Clarke (Helm) Front Row: Valerie Knight (Helm), Noreen Sheridan, Edwina Knight, Colin Knight (Helm & Mechanic), Margaret Ryan (Helm), Eamon Cornally, Johnny Hoare (Helm), Edel Knight
Interestingly, four of the seven female crew are sisters, Valerie, Edwina, Lian and Edel Knight. Their brother Colin is also crew and lifeboat mechanic, their Dad, Teddy is Deputy Launching Authority and their Mum, Pauline is Shore Crew, a family involvement that surely sets another record.   7 Knights of Lough Derg - Parents, 4 sisters (Valerie, Edwina, Lian & Edel) & a brother (Colin)
Fundraising
	The RNLI has for a long time enjoyed strong support from the people of Nenagh through the relentless effort of campaigners like Desmond FitzGerald, Niamh McCutcheon, Anne Atkinson and Nick Theato The Nenagh Fundraising Committee organise a series of events throught the year Collection Day in Nenagh in May Garden Walk in July Picnic Day at start of LDYC Regatta in August Golf Classic during LDYC Regatta in August Christmas Card Sale in December